Chapter 29: The Wicked Father-in-Law

With the support of Du Gu Yi, Gu Xinyao half-sat up, leaning against him at an angle; the two of them were essentially sharing the same bed.

Gu Yu entered, his face unusually pale. Behind him followed the old butler who had been caring for Du Gu Yi.

Having spent so much time together, the butler and Gu Yu no longer observed strict hierarchies. The butler stepped into the ward first, and upon seeing the two leaning on each other, he couldn’t help but shed tears.

“Young master, look at you! How did you get hurt like this?” The butler spoke as he reached the bedside and even lifted Du Gu Yi’s trouser leg.

Du Gu Yi tried to stop him, but it was too late. Seeing the still-swollen ankle, the butler sighed and lamented again.

Gu Yu sat down beside Du Gu Yi’s bed, his face showing signs of fatigue; the clear skin beneath his eyes had turned slightly blue, yet he smiled gently and kindly.

The butler wiped his tears and took a seat by the bed.

“Young master, the old master waited all night, afraid something would happen to you. He stayed awake the whole night...” The butler, having dried his tears, wanted to speak some words on behalf of the late master.

“Xiao Yuan, why say such things? This is what I, as a father, should do,” Gu Yu interrupted, not wanting Du Gu Yi to know what he had done.

The butler stopped mid-sentence under Gu Yu’s dissuasion.

“Yi, I’ve consulted the doctor. Your injuries are not serious; with some rest, you’ll recover. I’ll talk to your mother about it so you can return to work only after you’re fully healed,” Gu Yu said softly, turning to Du Gu Yi.

Du Gu Yi had never seen his father so gentle and tender. Even though their relationship had improved, it remained formal and distant. Perhaps because of the long estrangement or their mutual indifference toward emotions, even learning that Gu Yu may have stayed by the hospital bed all night, Du Gu Yi felt only gratitude without the intimacy a father and son usually share.

“Thank you, Dad,” Du Gu Yi replied politely but without warmth.

Hearing the thanks, Gu Yu’s smile faltered briefly before a hint of disappointment flashed in his eyes.

Then he regained his usual smile and addressed Gu Xinyao: “Xinyao, I’ve spoken with your attending physician. She said your injuries aren’t life-threatening and will heal with time.”

Gu Xinyao had quietly stayed by Du Gu Yi’s side and did not care whether Gu Yu would inquire about her. Now that she had the attention of her father-in-law, she felt unexpectedly honored.

“Thank you for your concern, Dad,” she quickly expressed her gratitude.

“No need,” Gu Yu shook his head slightly, indicating it was nothing.

“Butler, when we first arrived, your attending doctor mentioned some examination for the young master. Why don’t I take him now?” The butler was restless, always worried about Du Gu Yi’s condition. He had already moved outside the ward and, as if prepared beforehand, brought a wheelchair in and pushed it forward.

“I’m fine. There’s no need for an exam now. After Xinyao finishes this bottle of medicine, I can go then,” Du Gu Yi said. He didn’t want his father and wife to be alone together, feeling a vague unease at his father’s arrival as if something was about to happen.

Gu Xinyao, more concerned about Du Gu Yi’s condition, patted his hand reassuringly: “Go ahead. Dad is here; he won’t let anything happen to me.”

Du Gu Yi wanted to refuse again, but Gu Yu spoke: “Yi, I am your father. Would I ever harm you?”

After all, he was his son. Though they had spent little time together, it did not stop him from understanding his son’s thoughts.

Du Gu Yi’s expression stiffened. He didn’t know exactly what he was worried about but simply disliked his father and wife being alone. Hearing his father’s words, he bit his lip and nodded, allowing the butler to wheel him out of the ward.

Silence fell over the room.

Gu Xinyao leaned against the headboard, looking at the man before her—though weary, still radiating an undeniable grace. She mused that perhaps when Yi grows old, he too would carry such noble elegance.

“Xinyao, do you think you can give Yi a lifetime of happiness?” Gu Yu broke the silence first.

Snapped back to reality, Gu Xinyao looked at the man before her but began wondering what kind of answer he sought. She lowered her eyes in contemplation.

Gu Yu did not rush her response but waited quietly.

“Dad, what do you think happiness is?” After a long moment, Gu Xinyao looked up, a strange light flickering in her eyes.

Gu Yu did not expect the question. After hesitating, he softly replied, “To me, happiness is self-deception. But I know Yi needs happiness. I owe him too much. Now, what I can do is to make sure he lives without worries and does what he wants.”

Suddenly, Gu Xinyao recalled a line from a sketch she once saw: “Q: What is happiness? A: Happiness is suffering.”

Only when misfortune strikes does happiness become apparent. Perhaps it was indeed self-deception, but what Gu Yu said might not be what Du Gu Yi truly desired.

“Dad, don’t worry. I won’t let Yi suffer any grievances,” Gu Xinyao said, unsure if her words satisfied Gu Yu but knowing that silence would only make him doubt her sincerity.

Gu Yu tilted his head and lightly smiled—a smile tinged with a hint of contempt and disdain.

Then Gu Yu said, “Xinyao, it’s not that I don’t believe you, but I don’t trust time. Time changes too many things, emotions included. Since Yi isn’t here, I’ll be blunt. I’ve already consulted your attending doctor. Your condition—due to a severe side impact—has seriously damaged some nerves. You’re destined to be paralyzed for the rest of your life. Do you think someone like that can bring happiness to Yi?”

As Gu Yu spoke, Gu Xinyao felt a sharp pain in her chest. She was no superwoman and didn’t possess the strongest mental fortitude. But suddenly thinking of Du Gu Yi, if she gave up easily, all the long efforts would be wasted. Besides, would Yi allow her to decide their future on her own?

“No, Dad, I’m not saying I can’t bring happiness to Yi. I cannot decide this alone. Even if the rest of my life is confined to a bed, I won’t unilaterally quit Yi’s life. I understand what you mean, but if Yi is willing, I will never be the one to give up,” Gu Xinyao struggled to finish her sentence, feeling as though she had just walked a long, arduous path, the end of which still held many uncertainties.

Gu Yu’s previously confident expression was replaced by astonishment. He had never anticipated Gu Xinyao’s response. The scenario he had imagined played out very differently.

Silence filled the room for a long time before an astonishing burst of laughter erupted.

Gu Xinyao watched Gu Yu laugh until tears streamed down his face, feeling somewhat foolish. She didn’t understand what she had done to provoke such a profound and stirring laugh from her handsome father-in-law.

“Dad...” she wanted to ask but didn’t know how.

Gu Yu waved his hand, signaling that he wasn’t done laughing yet.

Gu Xinyao felt a hint of exasperation. She truly couldn’t figure out what kind of man Gu Yu was—one moment like the stereotypical cruel mother-in-law pushing the heroine away from the hero, the next laughing wildly as if mad.

After some time, Gu Yu finally calmed down.

He sat down, a faint smile lingering on his lips.

“If she had done what you did back then, perhaps there wouldn’t be a Yi today,” Gu Yu sighed and spoke softly.

Gu Xinyao looked at him in surprise, unsure what family secrets he was about to share. She frowned, uninterested in hearing any secrets.

Only a sigh followed.

Gu Xinyao wasn’t sure if she had heard some great secret, but from Gu Yu’s subtle expressions—his clear eyes veiled in a faint mist, his nostalgic gaze—she sensed something.

Perhaps sensing her probing look, Gu Yu stood up and waved his hand. “Forget it, let’s not talk about this. That was a test just now, and you passed. I’ve already asked the doctors about your situation. There’s no serious problem; you just need some rest. Don’t worry about the car that caused the accident. I will have people handle it.” Saying this, he reached the door.

At the moment he opened the door, Du Gu Yi had been wheeled back to the entrance by the butler.

“Yi, I’m leaving now. You and Xinyao take good care of yourselves. No need to worry,” Gu Yu nodded and left alone.

Back in the ward, Du Gu Yi saw Gu Xinyao sitting on the bed, lost in thought.

Having the butler wheel him next to her bed, Du Gu Yi held the bedrail and sat down.

“Dad, did Dad say anything to you?” He had noticed his father’s expression wasn’t unpleasant, but many things happen quietly; he still felt a bit uneasy.

Gu Xinyao smiled at him, placing her hand over his. This man was slowly drawing closer to her. Perhaps one day, he would fall in love with her. The thought made her smile more joyfully.

“Nothing much. He just said we should rest well here,” she said, having finally understood that her father-in-law’s test might have been something he himself experienced long ago and was now repeating with a different outcome. But she didn’t want to tell Yi these details to spare him worry.

Du Gu Yi studied her face for a long while but found no clues, so he stopped doubting. After all, that was his father. He didn’t want to recklessly imagine that he would do anything to harm their relationship.

Relieved, he continued, “I went to see your attending doctor earlier. She said if your treatment had been delayed, paralysis would have been almost inevitable. Thankfully, it was timely.”

Hearing this, Gu Xinyao completely relaxed and felt progressively more invigorated.

Author’s note: I’ve finally finished a busy round—moving to a new home was laborious, plus the transfer and network outage caused delays. I’m very glad to continue updating the novel and share my world with everyone.

Thank you all for your attention during the days I wasn’t updating. I will gradually make up for the lost content so you can enjoy reading thoroughly. o(n_n)o~